Till recently most people were used to work with generators that are mostly powered by fossil fuels like diesel or gas. It is important to have back-up power whenever needed, but what happens if fossil fuel generator fails you or just simply run out of fuel? What options you have at that point?
You probably have heard or even seen solar generators as they become more and more popular because of many advantages they provide. But you have to know about them more before choosing the right one for your home.
Continue reading and know more about Solar powered generators.
WHAT IS A SOLAR GENERATOR?
A solar generator is a device that works just like any other generator only it does not use fossil fuels and most of the time is also compared with solar panels for constant charging, this provides essential and automatic backup power for your home and when you need it the most, like during power outages.
But it can be confusing because there is a lot of brands and a lot of different generators. They range - type, brand, style, size, and of course function. Generators have a huge lineup that offers a wide range of coverage to suit your needs. So lets help you with some base information that will help you decide which is perfect solar generator for you.
Solar generators are essentially made up of an inverter, solar panels, a solar panel battery, and a battery charger. The solar panels on a solar generator capture energy from the sun and store that energy in a battery that is built into the generator. The inverter then takes that energy and converts it from DC power to AC power before releasing it. Once released, you can use the energy to power various household appliances and/or electronic devices when they need them most, such as during a power outage.
TYPES OF SOLAR GENERATORS
There are three main types of generators that we feel are the most prevalent to residential homes, and those are:
- Portable generators
- Inverter generators
- Standby generators
Portable Solar Generators
Portable solar generators are exactly what they sound like, a generator that is portable, meaning that you can use it anywhere you need it. Usually these generators are powered by batteries. Main benefit of a portable generator is that you can take it around with you when you need to power your electronic devices outside of your home while camping, tailgating, living in cabin or social distancing at a park. Also you can use portable generator to backup power to your home.
Inverter Generators
The Inverter generators are similar to portable generators in their core components (engine, fuel tank, and alternator), except they are also connected to an inverter. Just like with a solar energy system, the inverter takes the DC current and changes it back to AC current. Inverter generators also have the benefit of generating more stable, cleaner energy, and (here’s the kicker) some are even portable. So, an inverter generator can also be a portable generator, but they’re usually meant to help you provide backup power to your home during times when you need it most, like when the power goes out.
Solar Backup Generators
Solar generators have many benefits and are also portable but don’t include the moving components. They are essentially made up of an inverter, solar panels and battery. The solar panels on a solar generator capture energy from the sun and store that energy in a battery that is built into the generator. The inverter then takes that energy and converts it from DC power to AC power before releasing it. Once released, you can use the energy to power various household appliances and electronic devices when they need them most, such as during a power outage.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE BEST SOLAR GENERATORS
Solar generators are very use full if you have experienced power failure before. These generators serves as a great backup.
Your needs
First and most important step is to know your needs and purpose your solar generator will need to serve. Think about everything you will need to power with this power unit, because that will help you to choose the right one to fit your needs.
Each person choose solar-powered generators for different purposes. Some people use it as back-up power for emergencies, for example in case of natural disasters like storms or other power outages.
And some use them as portable power that you can carry and use everywhere you need it whenever you need it, or maybe even to power workshop or cabin. Carefully consider all the appliances you intend to power, without a clear vision of what you want to use it for, you could make a wrong decision and get generator with not enough power.
Size
Most of the time larger generator provides more power and can work for longer period of time, but also larger in size means heavier, so if you want to carry around your solar generator every day, then it can be an issue with larger units.
Find out size and weight so you get best option for you.
Solar Input
This is also very important step to take in count. This is important because it determines how many solar panels you can add and also responsible for the conversion of solar into energy. This energy that is collected trough solar panels can be used right away and collected in generator‘s batteries at the same time if you do not use it all. Larger solar panels caches more sun and provides more solar energy that is converted in electricity, smaller ones caches less sun and result in less power. Before buying solar panels for your unit check if its possible to connect them to your solar generator.
Also keep in mind that most of the time you can not hook different size solar panels to generator at the same time as it can damage both units.
Portability
To be satisfied with your purchase you also have to check another thing – Weight.
If you want really portable solar generator which you can take anywhere with you without any effort, then you have to check how much this unit weights. Usually more power full units will be larger and weight more so at that point you have to choose what is more important for you, more power and battery life or portability.
Speed
Very important specification you have to check for solar generator is how fast it can be charged.
The average amount of speed matters when charging your solar generator. If your generator charges slowly, it may affect the usage. And very important charging speed is for off-grid areas without power outlet to recharge it fast so you have to use solar panels and depend on them charging your device.
Battery
Strength of the battery. How durable it is? What power it can hold? From 1,000 watts to 3,000 watts counts as strong battery. Be sure that you check battery’s capability before purchasing solar generator. To be sure that the life-cycle of your battery is long as possible, always try to store it in cool but not cold areas. This will also boost its capacity.
Durability
To better understand each products durability you need to check users manual, because for each brand and for each product. Solar generators consists of many components and the life time and durability of those differ.
Eco-friendly Potential
Now more than ever we have to think about our planet, so always try to choose environmentally-friendly products and that includes generators. To do this you have to choose generator that does operate quietly, don‘t produce toxic fumes and overall provides clean energy.
And as a result of all this, solar generators can be used both indoors and outdoors.
CONCLUSION
So if you read everything above you should have more knowledge about solar generators and at this point should be easier to choose right solar generator for you. Now just go and find the right one that suits all your needs.